The news of a West-side Madison home invasion and rape, brought back chilling memories for another west-side resident.

"I had an incidence where someone walked into my house," said Stephanie, west-side resident.

Stephanie, we won't use her last name for her safety, says someone broke into her home two years ago while she was at work.

She says the thief walked right into her house, probably through the open garage door.

"I was raised in a small town so I had a sense of security," said Stephanie. "I was a little lackadaisical."

Things have changed at Stephanie's house now.

Instead of open garage doors, she makes sure every door and window in her house is locked and even has a security system to give her an extra level of protection.

Steps that Madison police officer Howard Payne says he likes to see, but rarely comes across.

"People in Madison need to realize that this is not a small city any longer," said Payne.

Payne says a lot Madison residents are too comfortable in the Capital city and as a result, leave their doors unlocked.

Police say that's exactly what two rape victims did in the past month and their attackers seized the opportunity.

"Madison is a big city, and as much as we'd like to think that everyone around us are positive people, that's just not the case," said Payne.

Police are still searching for a suspect, and while they do, Payne says every Madison resident needs to be double checking their doors, windows and garages.

"You're not safe to not use those techniques of locking your doors and windows," said Payne, "no matter what side of town you live on."